Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

The Pandemic Fund finances critical investments to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capacities at national, regional, and global levels, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. The Fund is a collaborative partnership among donor countries, co-investors (countries that are eligible to receive funding from the Pandemic Fund), MDBs, the WHO, UNICEF, FAO,  global health institutions, foundations and civil society organizations (CSOs). The Secretariat is hosted by the World Bank.
The Secretariat is looking for an experienced and energetic Senior External Affairs Officer to lead the development and implementation of a high-impact communications and advocacy strategy for the Pandemic Fund. This involves developing and implementing a communications strategy to position the Pandemic Fund in the global architecture for PPR financing and disseminate its results, stakeholder outreach, content creation, branding, reputational risk management and management of relationships with partners.

The Senior External Affairs Officer will report to the Executive Head of the Secretariat and work with other members of the secretariat and in close collaboration with ECRHD and corporate ECR teams. He/she will also liaise with relevant units within the Human Development (HD) Practice Group, as well as with the corresponding World Bank teams as well the Fund’s Board, partners, and stakeholders, to deliver the Fund’s overall communications efforts.

Duties and Accountabilities

The Senior External Affairs Officer leads internal and external communications activities via the following specific work areas:
• Technical and advisory support: Act as trusted advisor to the Executive Head of the Secretariat and the Governing Board, providing strategic and timely advice on positioning, advocacy, reputational risk management, trends, news developments, or changing circumstances that may impact the Fund and its work and help determine strategic responses.
• Communications strategies: Plan, design, and lead the implementation of communication strategies, including digital (website and social media), to promote effective communications with external and internal audiences and raise visibility of the Fund`s work. Help determine the most effective content and communications interventions to address particular challenges.
• Messaging: Provide message clarity and strategic communications to assure that the Fund`s goals/mission are well-explained and that affected stakeholders are engaged at all stages.
• Products: Conceptualize and lead the preparation, production and dissemination of high-level external messaging pieces and communication products related to the Pandemic Fund (e.g., media packets, news releases, brochures, Q&As, presentations, briefing notes, online and social media content, etc.) and thought leadership. Write and/or oversee preparation of high-profile speeches, talking points, op-eds, and presentations, as well as client-facing collateral and internal staff engagement content.
• Networks: Initiate effective professional relationships with key external and/or internal constituencies (e.g., the media, civil society, academia, private sector, government agencies, World Bank Group, and the Fund’s implementing entity partners, including other MDBs, the WHO, UNICEF, FAO, Global Fund, GAVI, CEPI etc.).
• Stakeholder engagement: Provide tailored stakeholder engagement strategies and relationship management, including meeting stakeholders and conducting stakeholder mapping and analysis. Facilitate interventions among various stakeholders, developing key messages and communication products; plan and produce events, and provide strategic advice as needed.
• Events: Support the Secretariat in planning, coordination, and logistics, often across multiple institutions and teams, conferences and seminars hosted by the Fund, executive missions and speeches; organize and lead on press briefings, public or broadcast appearances, and other communications-related activities involving external and/or internal audiences.
• Reputational risk management: Support risk identification, monitoring and mitigation activities in the context of corporate and operational communication interventions; advise specific internal and external stakeholders. Focus includes current events, public opinion, social or political issues, and other external or internal developments related to the fund’s work.
• Resource management: Manage specific human and financial resources for communications. Helps plan and supervise procurement tasks and/or issues as needed. For specific deliverables, responsible for assigning work, monitoring work quality, reviewing output.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Oversee monitoring and evaluation of communications activities. This includes tracking and compiling impact summaries at key intervals. 

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree and 8+ years of work experience in communications, journalism, political science, international affairs, public relations/affairs, marketing, or any other related field.
• Experience in providing strategic communications support to multi-stakeholder donor partnerships, particularly in the global health arena, and familiarity with key actors involved in global health and PPR financing is a must.
• Proven strong knowledge of and practical experience in a range of communications approaches, tools and methodologies related to planning, executing, and monitoring internal and/or external communications strategies.
• Knowledge of social media platforms and other digital tools, and proven experience developing social media strategies.
• Big-picture thinker with strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills while effectively maintaining a pulse on details.
• Strong knowledge of and practical experience in a range of communications planning and implementation approaches such as opinion research, media engagement, message targeting, and marketing communication.
• Excellent oral communications and writing skills, and a proven ability to draft and edit complex communications products for purposeful structure, clarity of ideas, and logical, persuasive presentation.
• Demonstrated ability and the necessary personal organization skills to take initiative, personal ownership, and accountability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, and achieve agreed-upon results.  Demonstrated organizational, research and analytical skills.
• A commitment to teamwork and demonstrated willingness to provide help and support to others in a dynamic environment; to lead or follow, depending on the needs of the team.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with internal and external partners at all levels, in a multicultural and multinational environment. 

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.